Military tank



7, 1946. A WIKE I 2,399,778

MILITARY TANK Filed Dec. 30, 1945 2 Sheets-Shee't 1 E \Q V Inventor I Q /7L 1. EN 7. W/KE ay 7, 1946. A. T. WIKE 2,399,778 Q MILITARY TANK Filed Dem 50, 1943 f 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I nventor I Patented May 7, 1946 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in miltary tanks, and has for one of its important objects to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a novel construction, combination and arrangement whereby thevehicle will be prevented from turning over.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a military tank of the character described which may be handled with a minimum of effort and which is highly maneuverable.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide a military tank of the aforementioned character wherein substantially all of the propulsion and control mechanism is protected within the vehicle.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a military tank of the character set forth which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, reliable in operation and which may be produced at reasonable cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a military tank constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a view principally in vertical longitudinal section through the tank.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a substantially V-shaped, horizontal frame which is designated generally by reference numeral I, which frame may be of any suitable metal and dimensions. The frame I is formed to provide, on its forward end, a fixed axle 2. The rear portion of the frame I includes a cross brace 3.

Journaled on the axle 2 is a pair of spaced, opposed drums 4. The drums 4, which are open at their inner ends, include substantially conical outer ends 5.

Fixed on the axle 2 at a. point intermediate the drums 4, is a longitudinally extending platform 6. Suspended by hangers 1 from the platform 6 and the axle 2 is a lower platform 8 of inverted channelshaped cross section. A power plant 9 is mounted on the lower platform 8. Mounted in the inner inturned end portions 4' of the drums 4 in any suitable manner and spaced concentrically from the perimeter of the drums are circular chains I0. Sprocket wheels II are engaged with the endless, circular chains I for driving the drums 4. The sprocket wheels ll may be releasably connected to the power plant 9 for actuation thereby in any suitable manner. This drive includes a transmission l2.

Spokes l3.support the drums 4' on the axle 2. Rising from the upper platform 6 are supports It. A guard l5-on the supports it extends around the upper and front portions of the drums for closing the space therebetween. The guard i5 includes a substantially V-shaped deflector It for bullets or projectiles. A turret IT is mounted on the upper portion of the guard 15, the bottom of said turret being open to permit observation and operation of the guns Hi from the upper platform 6. A brace It extends between the cross member 3 of the frame 1 and the rear end portion of the guard 15. A caster wheel or roller 2% supports the rear end of the frame l. The roller 20 is sufficiently heavy to hold the end of the machine down.

It is thought that the operation of the invention will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the power plant 9 drives the drums 4 through the sprocket wheels II and the circular chains it). By disconnecting either of the sprocket wheels H from the power plant 9 the vehicle may be caused to turn to the right or to the left. As hereinbefore indicated, the operator standing on the upper platform 6 mans the guns l8 in the turret IT. The construction and arrangement, it will be observed, is such that the power plant 9, the drive mechanism HI, H, and I2, etc., are all located and well protected within the vehicle.

It is believed that the many advantages of a military tank constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood, and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and ar rangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

In apparatus of the class described, a substantially triangular frame including a front straight side forming a fixed axle, and having a trailing apex end, a caster wheel supporting the apex end, a pair of spaced-apart drums rotatably mounted on said axle and having open opposed ends, upper and lower platforms mounted on the axle intermediate the opposed ends of the drums, a power plant on the lower platform, sprocket and chain drives between said plant and the opposed ends of the drums operated by said plant and including circular chains fixed in said ends of the drums and sprocket wheels engaging said chains, a segmental guard mounted on the upper platform and extending around the upper and front portions of the drums to close the space therebetween, and an operators seat on the upper platform covered by said guard.

ALLEN T. WIKE. 

